SA position 'disappointing'

2005-09-07 10:09

Pretoria - It was disappointing that South Africa was bound by the African Union's (AU) position on reform of the United Nations security council, Indian high commissioner to SA Satayabrata Pal said on Tuesday.

South Africa had supported reform proposals of the so-called Group of Four (G4), and was a declared candidate for a seat on a reformed council, he told a Centre for International Political Studies lecture in Pretoria.

"... but (South Africa) is bound by the positions of the African Union. That disappoints us, but we understand South Africa's dilemma," Pal said.

The G4 is made up of India, Brazil, Japan and Germany.

The AU insists on two permanent veto-wielding seats on an enlarged security council. It wants the body to be enlarged from 15 members to 26, with six new seats with veto powers.

It also wants five new non-permanent seats, two of which should go to the continent.

The G4 has proposed an expansion to 25 members, with six new permanent seats without veto power and four non-permanent seats.

The G4 proposal seeks one permanent seat for each of its members and two for Africa. Africa would get one of the four non-permanent seats and share another with other developing nations.

- SAPA